Method and apparatus for setting recording parameter on non-used area of optical recordable disc

ABSTRACT

When setting a recording power for use in recording optical information on a DVD-R, by using any one of sectors provided on the DVD-R as a PCA, whether a predetermined special detected signal is detected or not in the sectors is checked (Step S 2 ), a non-used sector where no special detected signal is detected, of the sectors, is retrieved, based on the check result (Step S 3 ), a mark signal for obtaining the special detected signal is recorded in the retrieved non-used sector (Step S 5 ), a setting signal for setting a recording power is recorded in the non-used sector excluding the area where at least the mark signal is recorded (Step S 6 ), and the recorded setting signal is optically detected to set the recording power (Step S 13 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technical field of a parametersetting apparatus, a parameter setting method, an information recordingapparatus, an information recording method, and an information recordingmedium. More particularly, it relates to a technical field of aparameter setting apparatus and a parameter setting method for setting arecording parameter, which is used for recording information lo arecording medium, before a recording of information, an informationrecording apparatus and an information recording method, including theabove parameter setting apparatus, for recording information, and aninformation recording medium in which a setting program for setting therecording parameter is recorded in a readable way by a computer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, a DVD that is an optical disk having extremely higher storagecapacities than a conventional CD (Compact Disc) is standardized, and aread-only DVD is in general use.

Further, not only the read-only DVD but also a rewritable progresses instandardization.

As the recordable DVD, there are a DVD-R (DVD-Recordable) that is a DVDcapable of recording information only once (namely, capable of writingonce) and a DVD-RW (DVD-Re-Recordable) capable of recording informationmultiple times, and the both DVDs are sequentially being standardized.

Generally, when information is recorded in the recordable DVD, opticalbeams for recording, which is intensive-modulated in accordance with theinformation to be recorded, is irradiated on the DVD so as to record theinformation. Therefore, it is necessary to perform calibrationprocessing on the intensity of the optical beams (hereinafter, referredto as a recording power simply) every time information is recorded. Thisis why there is some case where the optimum recording power at theinformation recording may vary, caused by a stain of the recordable DVDitself, temperature, or a time-varying reflectivity on the informationrecorded surface.

Accordingly, the above DVD-R standard defines that an area referred toas a PCA (Power Calibration Area) and an RMA (Recording Management Area)should be at a position inward from the lead-in area in the DVD-R, inorder to do the calibration processing.

The PCA is divided into several sectors and the calibration processingwill be executed by using one or several sectors. More concretely, inthe PCA corresponding to one or several sectors, while increasing therecording power step-by-step from a predetermined minimum value to apredetermined maximum value, setting signals having the random pulsewidth, for example, from 3T to 11T (T is the time unit for use inrecording information by the information recording appratus R) aresequentially recorded, and the recorded setting signals are sequentiallydetected and reproduced, from that one recorded with the minimumrecording power. The recording power used for recording a setting signalin which the peak level is equal to the bottom level in every reproducedsignal corresponding to the above pulse width at a time of the playback,is set as the optimum recording power of the optical beam in theinformation recording, and thereafter, actual recording of the recordinginformation is executed by use of the optical beam of the optimumrecording power.

The optimum recording power thus calculated and the number of a sectorwithin the PCA used for setting the optimum recording power (in a short,the number of a used sector) are recorded within the RMA in adistinguishable way, as the calibration information and thereafter, therecording of the actual recording information starts.

In the above-mentioned DVD-R, since the information can be recorded onlyonce on the overall surface thereof, a sector within the PCA used oncefor the optimization of the recording power cannot be used for theoptimization thereafter. At this time, if a new recording power isoptimized by use of the used sector by mistake, the recording powercannot be optimized accurately, thereby failing in the accurateinformation recording thereafter.

In the above DVD-R standard, in the next calibration processing of therecording power, standardized is that a sector within the PCA which hasnever been used for the calibration processing so far is retrieved byreferring to the description within the RMA and that the calibrationprocessing of the recording power is executed by use of the retrievednon-used sector.

However, that there are 400 areas capable of describing calibrationhistory in the RMA, is standardized, and the timing (for example, at aneject time of the DVD-R after finishing recording) when the calibrationhistory should be described is not standardized. Owing to this, thereare some cases where the calibration history cannot be describedassuredly or some cases where the corresponding area after descriptionof the calibration history cannot be retrieved accurately. In thesecases, it becomes impossible to distinguish which sector is a used onewithin the PCA, which results in making a mistake of performing thecalibration processing using a used sector.

To cope with the above problem, heretofore, there is adopted a method ofdetecting a detected/playback signal corresponding to an actuallyrecorded setting signal by scanning the PCA using the optical beams andretrieving a used sector from the level thereof, as disclosed in, forexample, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-175977.

According to the above-mentioned conventional retrieval method of theused sector, as for a sector where a setting signal is recorded with theminimum recording power (near to zero level), since the recording poweris too small to detect a detected/playback signal in the retrievalmethod, it may be regarded as the non-used sector, even if aused-sector. Therefore, the calibration processing of the recordingpower may be performed by using a used sector, similarly in theconventional method, thereby failing in the accurate calibrationprocessing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the above problem, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a parameter setting apparatus and a parametersetting method capable of accurately retrieving a non-used sector in thePCA and performing the accurate calibration of the recording power byuse of the above non-used sectors an information recording apparatus andan information recording method for information recording, including theabove parameter setting apparatus, and an information recording mediumwith a setting program for setting the recording parameter recordedthere in a readable way by a computer.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a parametersetting apparatus of the present invention for setting a recordingparameter for use in optical information recording on a recordingmedium, by use of any one of a plurality of setting areas previouslyprovided on the recording medium. The apparatus is provided with: achecking device for checking whether a special detected signal isoptically detected or not from the setting areas; a retrieving devicefor retrieving a non-used area that is the setting area where no specialdetected signal is detected, of the setting areas, based on the checkresult of the checking device; a mark signal recording device foroptically recording a mark signal for obtaining the special detectedsignal optically, in the detected non-used setting area setting signalrecording device for recording a setting signal for setting therecording parameter, at least, in the non-used setting area excluding anarea where the mark signal is recorded; and a setting device for settingthe recording parameter by optically detecting the recorded settingsignal.

According to the present invention, since the non-used setting area isretrieved by referring to the special detected signal, so that the marksignal and the setting signal is recorded, and the recording parameteris set by use of the recorded setting signal, it is possible to retrievethe non-used setting area accurately and set the recording parameteraccurately by use of this. Therefore use of the accurately-set recordingparameter enables the accurate and assured information recording.

In one aspect of the present invention, the mark signal recording devicerecords the mark signal at a position detected prior to the settingsignal recorded in the non-used setting area.

According to this aspect, since the mark signal is recorded at aposition detected prior to the setting signal, the accurate detection ofthe first detected position in the setting area enables accuratedetection of a non-used setting area.

In another aspect of the present invention, the mark signal recordingdevice repeats the recording of the mark signal at a predeterminedinterval during the recording of the setting signal.

According to this aspect, since the mark signal is recorded at apredetermined interval during recording the setting signal, it ispossible to prevent from a detection mistake of a non-used setting areacaused by detecting no special detected signal for a long time.

In further aspect of the present invention, the checking device isfurther provided with: a position retrieving device for retrieving apredicted position of the setting area on the recording medium where thespecial detected signal is to be optically detected; a first movingdevice for moving an executing device for detecting the setting signaland the special detected signal, from the retrieved predicted position,to a retrieval starting position on the recording medium distant fromthere at least by a distance corresponding to the predeterminedinterval; and a second moving device for repeating an operation offurther moving the executing device again from the special detectedsignal-detected position on the recording medium to a position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval, when the special detected signal isdetected while the executing device is moved from the retrieval startingposition to the predicted position, and further moving the executingdevice to the predicted position, from a position of the executingdevice after the above further moving used as the retrieval startingposition, so as to check whether the special detected signal is detectedor not In addition, the retrieving device regards the setting areaadjacent to the setting area where the special detected signal detectedlast is recorded as the non-used setting area, when none of the specialdetected signal is detected while the executing device is moved from theretrieval starting position to the predicted position.

According to this aspect, since a non-used setting area is detectedbased on the special detected signal while repeating the transition ofthe executing device from the retrieval starting position to thepredicted position and the update of the retrieval starting position, itis possible to detect the non-used setting area accurately.

In further aspect of the present invention, the recording parameter isintensity of an optical beam for use in the information recording.

According to this aspect, use of a non-used setting area enables theaccurate setting of the intensity of the recording optical beam.

In further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus is furtherprovided with a recording device for executing the information recordingby use of the set recording parameter.

According to this aspect, use of the accurately-set recording parameterenables the accurate and assured information recording.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a parametersetting method of the present invention for setting a recordingparameter for use in optical information recording on a recordingmedium, using any one of a plurality of setting areas previouslyprovided on the recording medium. The method is provided with: achecking process for checking whether a special detected signal isoptically detected or not from the setting areas; a retrieving processfor retrieving a non-used area that is the setting area where no specialdetected signal is detected, of the setting areas, based on the checkresult in the checking process, a mark signal recording process foroptically recording a mark signal for obtaining the special detectedsignal optically, in the detected non-used setting area; a settingsignal recording process for recording a setting signal for setting therecording parameter, at least, in the non-used setting area excluding anarea where the mark signal is recorded; and a setting process forsetting the recording parameter by optically detecting the recordedsetting signal.

According to the present invention, since a non-used setting area isretrieved by referring to the special detected signal, so to record themark signal and the setting signal and the recording parameter is set byuse of this recorded setting signal, it is possible to retrieve thenon-used setting area accurately and set the recording parameteraccurately by use of this. Therefore use of the accurately-set recordingparameter enables the accurate and assured information recording. In oneaspect of the present invention, in the mark signal recording process,the mark signal is recorded at a position detected prior to the settingsignal recorded in the non-used setting area.

According to this aspect, since the mark signal is recorded at aposition detected prior to the setting signal, the accurate detection ofthe first detected position in the setting area enables accuratedetection of a non-used setting area.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the mark signal recordingprocess, the recording of the mark signal is repeated at a predeterminedinterval during the recording of the setting signal.

According to this aspect, since the mark signal is recorded at apredetermined interval during recording the setting signal, it ispossible to prevent from a detection mistake of a non-used setting areacaused by detecting no special setting signal for a long time.

In further aspect of the present invention, the checking process isfurther provided with: a position retrieving process for retrieving apredicted position of the setting area on the recording medium where thespecial detected signal is to be optically detected; a first movingprocess for moving an executing device for detecting the setting signaland the special detected signal, from the retrieved predicted position,to a retrieval starting position on the recording medium distant fromthere at least by a distance corresponding to the predeterminedinterval; and a second moving process for repeating an operation offurther moving the executing device again from the special detectedsignal-detected position on the recording medium to a position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval, when the special detected signal isdetected while the executing device is moved from the retrieval startingposition to the predicted position, and further moving the executingdevice to the predicted position, from a position of the executingdevice after the above further moving used as the retrieval startingposition, so as to check whether the special detected signal is detectedor not. In addition, in the retrieving process, the setting areaadjacent to the setting area where the special detected signal detectedlast is recorded, is regarded as the non-used setting area, when none ofthe special detected signal is detected while the executing device ismoved from the retrieval starting position to the predicted position.

According to this aspect, since a non-used setting area is detectedbased on the special detected signal while repeating the transition ofthe executing device from the retrieval starting position to thepredicted position and the update of the retrieval starting position, itis possible to detect the non-used setting area accurately.

In further aspect of the present invention, the recording parameter isintensity of an optical beam for use in the information recording.

According to this aspect, use of a non-used setting area enables theaccurate setting of the intensity of the recording optical beam.

In further aspect of the present invention, the method is furtherprovided with a recording process for executing the informationrecording by use of the set recording parameter.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording medium of the present invention in which a settingprogram is recorded in a readable way by a setting computer, which isincluded in a recording parameter setting apparatus for setting arecording parameter for use in optical information recording on therecording medium, using any one of a plurality of setting areaspreviously provided on the recording medium. The setting program causesthe setting computer to function as: a checking device for checkingwhether a special detected signal is optically detected or not from thesetting areas; a retrieving device for retrieving a non-used area thatis the setting area where no special detected signal is detected, of thesetting areas, based on the check result of the checking device; a marksignal recording device for optically recording a mark signal forobtaining the special detected signal optically, in the detectednon-used setting area; a setting signal recording device for recording asetting signal for setting the recording parameter, at least, in thenon-used setting area excluding an area where the mark signal isrecorded; and a setting device for setting the recording parameter byoptically detecting the recorded setting signal.

According to the present invention, since the setting computer works soas to retrieve a non-used setting area by referring to the specialdetected signal to record the mark signal and the setting signal and soas to set the recording parameter by use of this recorded settingsignal, it is possible to retrieve the non-used setting area accuratelyand set the recording parameter accurately by use of this Therefore useof the accurately-set recording parameter enables the accurate andassured information recording.

In one aspect of the present invention, the mark signal recording devicerecords the mark signal at a position detected prior to the settingsignal recorded in the non-used setting area.

According to this aspect, since the setting computer works so as torecord the mark signal at a position detected prior to the settingsignal, the accurate detection of the first detected position in thesetting area enables accurate detection of a non-used setting area.

In another aspect of the present invention, the mark signal recordingdevice repeats the recording of the mark signal at a predeterminedinterval during the recording of the setting signal.

According to this aspect, since the setting computer works so as torecord the mark signal at a predetermined interval during recording thesetting signal, it is possible to prevent from a detection mistake of anon-used setting area caused by detecting no special setting signal fora long time.

In further aspect of the present invention, the checking device isfurther provided with: a position retrieving device for retrieving apredicted position of the setting area on the recording medium where thespecial detected signal is to be optically detected; a first movingdevice for moving an executing device for detecting the setting signaland the special detected signal, from the retrieved predicted position,to a retrieval starting position on the recording medium distant fromthere at least by a distance corresponding to the predeterminedinterval; and a second moving device for repeating an operation offurther moving the executing device again from the special detectedsignal-detected position on the recording medium to a position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval, when the special detected signal isdetected while the executing device is moved from the retrieval startingposition to the predicted position, and further moving the executingdevice to the predicted position, from a position of the executingdevice after the above further moving used as the retrieval startingposition, so as to check whether the special detected signal is detectedor not. In addition, the retrieving device regards the setting areaadjacent to the setting area where the special detected signal detectedlast is recorded as the non-used setting area, when none of the specialdetected signal is detected while the executing device is moved from theretrieval starting position to the predicted position.

According to this aspect, since the setting computer works so as todetect a non-used setting area based on the special detected signalwhile repeating the transition of the executing device from theretrieval starting position to the predicted position and the update ofthe retrieval starting position, it is possible to detect the non-usedsetting area accurately.

In further aspect of the present invention, the recording parameter isintensity of an optical beam for use in the information recording.

According to this aspect, use of a non-used setting area enables theaccurate setting of the intensity of the recording optical beam.

In further aspect of the present invention, the setting program furthercauses the setting computer to function as a recording device forexecuting the information recording by use of the set recordingparameter.

According to this aspect, use of the accurately-set recording parameterenables the accurate and assured information recording.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a computerdata signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a sequence ofinstructions of the present invention, which is executed by a settingcomputer, which is included in a recording parameter setting apparatusfor setting a recording parameter for use in optical informationrecording on the recording medium, using any one of a plurality ofsetting areas previously provided on the recording medium. Theinstructions is provided with the steps of: checking whether a specialdetected signal is optically detected or not from the setting areas;retrieving a non-used area that is the setting area where no specialdetected signal is detected, of the setting areas, based on the checkresult of the step of checking; optically recording a mark signal forobtaining the special detected signal optically, in the detectednon-used setting area; recording a setting signal for setting therecording parameter, at least, in the non-used setting area excluding anarea where the mark signal is recorded, and setting the recordingparameter by optically detecting the recorded setting signal.

According to the present invention, since the setting computer works soas to retrieve a non-used setting area by referring to the specialdetected signal to record the mark signal and the setting signal and soas to set the recording parameter by use of this recorded settingsignal, it is possible to retrieve the non-used setting area accuratelyand set the recording parameter accurately by use of this. Therefore useof the accurately-set recording parameter enables the accurate andassured information recording.

In one aspect of the present invention, the step of optically recordingthe mark signal records the mark signal at a position detected prior tothe setting signal recorded in the non-used setting area.

According to this aspect, since the setting computer works so as torecord the mark signal at a position detected prior to the settingsignal, the accurate detection of the first detected position in thesetting area enables accurate detection of a non-used setting area.

In another aspect of the present invention, the step of opticallyrecording the mark signal repeats the recording of the mark signal at apredetermined interval during the recording of the setting signal.

According to this aspect, since the setting computer works so as torecord the mark signal at a predetermined interval during recording thesetting signal, it is possible to prevent from a detection mistake of anon-used setting area caused by detecting no special setting signal fora long time.

In further aspect of the present invention, the step of checking isfurther provided with the steps of: retrieving a predicted position ofthe setting area on the recording medium where the special detectedsignal is to be optically detected; moving an executing device fordetecting the setting signal and the special detected signal, from theretrieved predicted position, to a retrieval starting position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval; and repeating an operation of furthermoving the executing device again from the special detectedsignal-detected position on the recording medium to a position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval, when the special detected signal isdetected while the executing device is moved from the retrieval startingposition to the predicted position, and further moving the executingdevice to the predicted position, from a position of the executingdevice after the above further moving used as the retrieval startingposition, so as to check whether the special detected signal is detectedor not, and the step of retrieving the non-used area regards the settingarea adjacent to the setting area where the special detected signaldetected last is recorded as the non-used setting areas when none of thespecial detected signal is detected while the executing device is movedfrom the retrieval starting position to the predicted position.

According to this aspect, since the setting computer works so as todetect a non-used setting area based on the special detected signalwhile repeating the transition of the executing device from theretrieval starting position to the predicted position and the update ofthe retrieval starting position, it is possible to detect the non-usedsetting area accurately.

In further aspect of the present invention, the recording parameter isintensity of an optical beam for use in the information recording.

According to this aspect, use of a non-used setting area enables theaccurate setting of the intensity of the recording optical beam.

In further aspect of the present invention, the instructions are furtherprovided with the step of executing the information recording by use ofthe set recording parameter.

According to this aspect, use of the accurately-set recording parameterenables the accurate and assured information recording.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of aninformation recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the detailed structure of a DVD-Raccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart (I) showing the recording power settingprocessing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart (II) showing the recording power settingprocessing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing various waveforms corresponding to therecording power setting processing of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

An embodiment described below is an embodiment when the presentinvention is adopted to the setting processing of the recording powerperformed prior to the actual information recording processing, in aninformation recording apparatus for recording information in the DVD-Ras the above recording medium.

A schematic structure and operation of an information recordingapparatus of the embodiment will be described by referring FIG. 1 andFIG. 2.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of theinformation recording apparatus of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is aschematic view showing the detailed structure of a DVD-R1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an information recording apparatus R of theembodiment is comprised of: a pickup 2 as retrieving device, settingsignal recording device, detecting device, performing device, and a marksignal recording device; an RF (Radio Frequency) detecting section 3; acontrol section 4 comprised of a CPU and the like as checking device,position retrieving device, first moving device, second moving device,and setting device; a timing creating unit 5; a recording power settingsection 6; a recording pattern generating section 7; a recordingwaveform creating section 8; a driving section 9; a laser driver 10; apre-format detecting section 11; a condenser 21; a level detectingsection 24 including a peak detecting section 22 and a bottom detectingsection 23; and a switch 25.

An operation of each component will be described now.

At first, an operation of general information recording processing willbe described.

Address information indicating the position of the recorded informationon the DVD-R1 and a synchronization signal are previously recorded (inits manufacturing stage) by forming a pre-pit.

At the timing of recording information on the DVD-R1, the pickup 2irradiates an optical beam B for information recording to the pre-pitjust before the actual information recording, detects the addressinformation indicating the record position of the information to berecorded entered from the outside and the synchronization signal forcreating a recording clock used as a reference clock in the recordingprocessing, according to, for example, a push-pull method, and creates apush-pull signal Spp including the above two so to supply it to thepre-format detecting section 11.

Then, the pre-format detecting section 11 separates the push-pull signalSpp into the synchronization signal Ssyc and the address informationSadr, and supplies the synchronization signal Ssyc to the limingcreating section 5 and the address information Sadr to the controlsection 4.

The timing creating section 5 creates the recording clock signal Stmbased on the synchronization signal Ssyc, and supplies it to therecording power setting section 6 and the recording pattern generatingsection 7.

While, the recording information Sr entered from the outside is suppliedto the control section 4.

The control section 4 adds an error correction mark to the suppliedrecording information Sr and modulates the supplied recordinginformation Sr. Based on the address information Sadr, it recognizes therecord position on the DVD-R1 to record the supplied recordinginformation Sr, and supplies the recording information Sr to therecording waveform creating section 8 through the switch 25, as therecording signal Srr at the timing corresponding to the record position.

The recording pattern generating section 7 generates a recording patternsignal Spt having a random pulse width from 3T to 11T, using recordingclock signal Stm as a reference clock, based on the control signal Sctfrom the control section 4, and supplies it to the recording waveformcreating section 8 through the switch 25, in the normalizationprocessing described later.

The recording waveform creating section 8 performs the waveform shapingprocessing (strategy processing), which shapes and optimizes the form ofthe recording pit formed in the recording track on the DVD-R1correspondingly to the waveform of the recording pattern signal Spt, onthe recording signal Srr or the recording pattern signal Spt, andgenerates a shaped pattern signal Ssr to supply it to the drivingsection 9.

While, the recording power setting section 6 generates a power signalSpc indicating the recording power set in the recording power settingprocessing described later which is executed prior to the informationrecording, based on the control signal Scp from the control section 4,and supplies it to the driving section 9.

The driving section 9 generates a driving signal Sdd for irradiating theoptical beam B for recording by the recording power indicated by thepower signal Spc and supplies it to the driver 10.

The driver 10 drives a semiconductor laser, not illustrated, within thepickup 2, so as to generate a driving signal Sd for irradiating therecording optical beam B intensity-modulated correspondingly to thewaveform change indicated by the shaped pattern signal Ssr, withreference to the recording power indicated by the power signal Spc, andso as to supply it to the semiconductor laser within the pickup 2.

The recording optical beam B corresponding to the original recordinginformation Sr is irradiated on the DVD-R1 by driving the semiconductorlaser according to the driving signal Sd, hence to form a recording pitcorresponding to the recording information Sr in the recording track onthe DVD-R1, thereby completing a serried of recording processing of therecording information Sr.

The calibration processing of the recording power concerned with theembodiment, which is performed prior to the above-mentioned recordingprocessing, will be described.

As mentioned above, the calibration processing concerned with theembodiment is performed by using the PCA and RMA formed in the innerportion than the lead-in area on the DVD-R1.

The detailed structure of the DVD-R1 including the PCA and the RMA willbe described by using FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the DVD-R1 of the embodiment is comprised of:from the inside, a clump hole CH for mounting and fixing the DVD-R1around a rotation axis of a spindle motor, not illustrated, within theinformation recording unit R; a non-recordable area 16 where informationis not recorded on the inner peripheral side; the PCA 18; the RMA 12; aninformation area DA where actual recording processing is performed; andan end area 17.

The information area DA is further comprised of: a lead-in area 13 wherestart information and the like to be read out when reproducing therecording information recorded in a data area 14 described later isrecorded; the data area 14 where the recording information is recorded;and a lead-out area 15 where end information and the like to be read outwhen finishing the playback of the recording information recorded in thedata area 14 is recorded. The lead-in area 13 is an area for recordingthe start information and the like prior to recording the information inthe data area 14, while the lead-out area 15 is an area for recordingthe end information and the like after fully finishing the recording onthe overall DVD-R1 (namely, when all recording of the recordinginformation for the DVD-R1 is finished).

The PCA 18 is divided into the number N of sectors 20 (for example, N is7000), and one or more of these sectors 20 are used to perform thecalibration processing of the recording power of the recording opticalbeam B.

Further, it is standardized that the respective sectors 20 are usedsequentially from the sector 20 ⁻¹ on the outer periphery of the DVD-R1.

For example, in the case of performing one calibration processing by useof only one sector 20, one calibration processing is performed on thesector 20 ⁻¹ by recording a setting signal with the recording powerincreasing sequentially from the inner periphery to the outer periphery(refer to a dotted line of FIG. 2), and the next calibration isperformed on the sector 20 ⁻² by recording a setting signal with therecording power increasing sequentially from the inner periphery to theouter periphery (refer to a dotted line of FIG. 2).

While, the RMA 12 is provided with 400 setting recording areas forsequentially writing the values of the optimum recording powers havingbeen set in the above calibration processing at a predetermined timingand the numbers of the sectors 20 within the PCA18 having been used sofar for the calibration processing.

Returning to FIG. 1, in the above calibration processing by use of thePCA 18 and the RMA 12, for example, in the case of performing onecalibration processing by use of only one sector 20 as mentioned above,at first, the control section 4 supplies the control signal Sct to therecording pattern generating section 7 so as to generate the recordingpattern signal Spt having the above-mentioned random pulse width from 3Tto 11T.

The control section 4 supplies the control signal Scp to the recordingpower setting section 6 so as to control it to record the setting signalon the sector 2 ⁻¹ while increasing the recording power step-by-stepfrom the inner periphery to the outer periphery (refer to the dottedline of FIG. 2).

Thus, the recording power setting section 6 supplies the power signalSpc in a manner of increasing the recording power step-by-step.

The driving section 9 and the driver 10 record the setting signalsequentially within the sector 20 ⁻¹ while increasing the recordingpower step-by-step based on the power signal Spc. This processingenables the setting signal step-by-step varying in a staircase patternin the playback intensity to be recorded in the sector 20 ⁻¹.

The peak level and the bottom level of the detected signal Srf obtainedby reproducing the setting signal recorded in the above way, using thepickup 2, are detected by the level detecting section 24.

The level detecting section 24 eliminates the direct current componentof the detected signal Srf through the condenser 21, obtains the peaklevel and the bottom level of the condenser signal Scd that is theresultant output, respectively through the peak detecting section 22 andthe bottom detecting section 23, and supplies a peak level signal Spland a bottom level signal Sbl to the control section 4.

Thus, the control section 4 sets the recording power in recording thesetting signal in which the peak level is equal to the bottom level forevery detected signal Srf corresponding to the pulse width from 3T to11T, based on the peak level signal Spl and the bottom level signal Sbl,as the optimum recording power at that time, in the memory, notillustrated, hence to use it for the recording processing of the actualrecording information Sr thereafter.

The calibration processing concerned with the embodiment executedchiefly by the control section 4 will be described more concretely byusing FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flow chars showing the calibration processing, andFIG. 5 is a view showing various waveforms corresponding to thecalibration processing.

In the calibration processing described later, one calibrationprocessing is executed by using 64 pieces of sectors 20, and further inone sector 20, the setting signal is recorded with the same recordingpower and a mark signal described later is recorded in every 32 sectors.Further, in FIG. 5, the level of the detected signal Srf becomes higherin a downward direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the calibration processing of theembodiment (recording power setting processing), at first, each initialsetting is executed (Step S1).

Now, the initial setting processing in Step S1 will be more specificallydescribed. In the initial setting processing, a parameter X that is thecounter value (incremented by one every time the recording power isincreased by one step) indicating the space between the mark signalswhen a plurality of mark signals described later are recorded, isinitialized(namely, parameter X←0), the number M of changed steps of therecording power(in the case of embodiment is M=64) is set in a parameterY indicating the changing frequency of the recording power when thesetting signal is recorded, and further, the initial value of therecording power (more specifically, the minimum value defined by theDVD-R format) is set in recording the setting signal other than the marksignal.

When the initial setting is finished, in the PCA 18, the head positionof the sectors 20 used for the calibration processing so far having beenexecuted (in other words, the head position of the used area) isretrieved on the DVD-R1 (Step S2). The retrieval processing will bedescribed later by using FIG. 4.

When the head position of the used area is retrieved, the position ofirradiating the optical beam B is inwardly moved from the head positionby the 64 sectors, and the head position of the sectors 20 used for thenext calibration processing (in other words, the head position of thenon-used area) is retrieved on the DVD-R1 (Step S3). In the retrievalprocessing in Step S3, more specifically, the head position of thesectors 20 used for the next calibration processing is retrieved byreferring to the number of the respective sectors 20 (addressinformation) previously recorded by the pre-pit.

The position of irradiating the optical beam 13 is moved, according tothe retrieval, by operating a tracking servomechanism, not illustrated,based on a control of the control section 4.

When the head position of the non-used area is retrieved, whether thevalue of the parameter X is now “0” or not is checked (Step S4).

Just after retrieving the non-used area, since the parameter X is “0”(YES; Step S4), the recording power when the setting signal is recordedlast is stored in a memory, not illustrated, within the control section4, “32” (indicating that the mark signal is to be recorded in every 32sectors) is set in the parameter X, and in the information recordingunit R, the mark signal is recorded within the sector 20 for apredetermined hour with the possible maximum recording power (Step S5).According to the processing of Step S5, the initial mark signal isrecorded at the head position of the non-used area.

The parameters X and Y are decremented by one (Step S7), and whether theparameter Y becomes “0” or not, in other words, whether one calibrationprocessing is completed or not is checked (Steps S8).

Since the one calibration processing is not finished yet (NO; Step S8),this step will return to Step S4 again, after the recording time for onesector elapses (Step S9).

Since the value of the parameter X is not “0” in this Step S4 (NO; StepS4), the setting signal is recorded with the recording power of thesetting signal increased by one step from the initial value set in StepS1 (Step S6), and this step will return to Step S7 again, where eachparameter is decremented by one (Step S7), thereby repeating a series ofthe above-mentioned processing.

By repeating the processing from Step S1 to Step S9 as mentioned above,the second mark signal is recorded at the head position of the non-usedarea and at the position distant from the head position by 32 sectors(since one calibration processing is completed by using 64 sectors inthe calibration processing of this embodiment, there are only two marksignals that are recorded between the one calibration processing), andthe setting signal is recorded with the recording power increased byevery one step for every sector up to the maximum value, in the spacebetween the mark signals and the space between the mark signal and theend position of the non-used area.

When the recording of the setting signal for 64 sectors is completed(YES; Step S8), the head position of the recorded area (the recordedarea within the PCA 18 where the mark signal and the setting signal arerecorded according to the processing of the above Step S1 to Step S9) isretrieved according to the same processing as in the above-mentionedStep S2 (Step S10), and from the head position, the setting signal andthe mark signal for 64 sectors are detected and reproduced, hence tocreate the detected signal Srf (Step S11) Further, the level thereof isobtained in the RF detecting section 3 (Step S12), and the level signalSp is created and supplied to the control section 4.

As the waveform of the detected signal Srf at that time, as show in FIG.5, a special detected signal SP of the maximum level corresponding tothe mark signal is detected at the head position of the recorded areaformed by process of step 1 to step 9 and the position outwardly distantfrom the head position by 32 sectors, and from the area between the bothpositions, the detected signals Srf having the playback levelcorresponding to the respective setting signals outwardly increased inevery sector are detected. The level signal Sp which becomes the “HIGH”level (refer to the bottom of FIG. 5) at a time of detecting thedetected signal Srf having a level more than the predetermined optimumlevel, of these special detected signals SP and the detected signalsSfr, is supplied to the control section 1.

Based on the peak level signal Spl and the bottom level signal Sblsupplied from the level detecting section 24, when the setting signalhaving the peak level and the bottom level which are equal to eachother, for every detected signal Sfr corresponding to the pulse widthfrom 3T to 11T (refer to the timing T) is obtained, the recording powerat that time is set in a memory, not illustrated, within the controlsection 4 as the optimum recording power (Step S13), and thereafter usedfor the recording processing of the actual recording information Sr.

After a series of the calibration processing shown in FIG. 3 isfinished, the number of a sector used as the recorded area and therecording power set in the above are recorded within the settingrecording area corresponding to the RMA12.

The retrieval processing from Step S2 to Step S10 will be described byusing FIG. 4.

In the retrieval processing, as illustrated in FIG. 4, at first, thesetting recording area where the used (recorded) sector number and thesetting recording power are recorded in the last calibration processingis retrieved, so to obtain the used (recorded) sector number (address atthe head position of the used area (Step S20), and the position ofirradiating the optical beam B is moved to the head position (Step S21).

While the irradiation position is moved outwardly from the headposition, whether a detected signal Srf having some level is detected ornot is checked (Step S22).

The irradiation position is inwardly jumped to a position for two tracksin a way of skipping over 64 sectors (Step S23), referring to theaddress information recorded by the pre-pit from the first position ofdetecting the detected signal Srf, and while moving the irradiationposition again outwardly from the moved position, whether the detectedsignal Srf is detected or not is checked and retrieved(Step S24).

When detecting the detected signal Srf having some level (YES, StepS24), the current irradiation position is regarded to be within the used(recorded) area, the address of the position is obtained (Step S25) andthis step will return to Step 23, where the above-mentioned track jumpprocessing will be repeated.

While, in the judge of Step S24, when no detected signal Srf is detected(NO; Step S24), whether or not the check and retrieval has beencompleted in the irradiation position before the track jump (Step S23)is checked (Step S26) When the check and retrieval has not beencompleted (NO; Step S26), this step will return to Step S24 again, wherethe check and retrieval is continued, while when the check and retrievalhas been completed (YES; Step S26), the position corresponding to thelast obtained address (Step S25) is regarded as the head position theused (recorded) area (Step S27), and then the processing will bereturned to Step S3 or Step S11.

As mentioned above, according to the above calibration processing in theinformation recording unit R, the non-used area is retrieved, referringto the special detected signal SP, to record the mark signal and thesetting signal, and the setting of the recording power is performed,using thus recorded setting signal. Therefore, the non-used area can beretrieved accurately and by using this, the setting of the recordingpower can be performed accurately.

Since the mark signal is recorded at the position detected prior to thesetting signal, the first detected position can be accurately detectedin the PCA18, thereby detecting the non-used area assuredly.

Since the mark signal is recorded in every 32 sectors during recordingof the setting signal, detection error of the non-used area caused bydetecting no special detected signal SP for a long time can beprevented.

Since the used (recorded) area is detected based on the special detectedsignal SP while repeating the transition of the irradiation position ofthe optical beam B from the head position of the used (recorded) areaindicated by the RMA 12 to the position of detecting the detected signalSrf and the update of the same head position, the non-used area can bedetected assuredly.

Since the information recording is executed by using the set recordingpower, the information recording can be executed accurately andassuredly by using the accurately-set recording power.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the description has beenmade in the case of one calibration processing by use of 64 sectors, thesame effect as the present invention can be obtained even in the case ofone calibration processing by use of only one sector 20, if the marksignal is recorded at the head.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the description has beenmade in the case where the present invention is adopted to thecalibration processing of the recording power on the DVD-R1, the presentinvention can be adopted to the calibration processing of the recordingpower on a general CD-R (CD-Recordable).

Further, with a program corresponding to the flow charts shown in FIG. 3and FIG. 4 recorded in a flexible disk or a hard disk as the informationrecording medium, this program can be read out and executed by a generalmicrocomputer or the like. Therefore, the same microcomputer may be usedas the control section 4 of the embodiment.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the forgoing descriptionand all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalencyof the claims are therefore intended to be embraces therein.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-313588filed on Oct. 13, 2000 including the specification, claims, drawings andsummary is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. A parameter setting apparatus for setting a recording parameter foruse in optical information recording on a recording medium, by use ofany one of a plurality of setting areas previously provided on therecording medium, the apparatus comprising: a checking device forchecking whether a special detected signal is optically detected or notfrom the setting areas; a locating device for locating a non-used areathat is the setting area where no special detected signal is detected,of the setting areas, based on the check result of the checking device;a mark signal recording device for optically recording a mark signal forobtaining the special detected signal optically, in the non-used settingarea; a setting signal recording device for recording a setting signalfor setting the recording parameter, at least, in the non-used settingarea excluding an area where the mark signal is recorded; and a settingdevice for setting the recording parameter by optically detecting therecorded setting signal.
 2. The parameter setting apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the mark signal recording device records the marksignal at a position detected prior to the setting signal recorded inthe non-used setting area.
 3. The A parameter setting apparatusaccording to claim 1 for setting a recording parameter for use inoptical information recording on a recording medium, by use of any oneof a plurality of setting areas previously provided on the recordingmedium, the apparatus comprising: a checking device for checking whethera special detected signal is optically detected or not from the settingareas; a locating device for locating a non-used area that is thesetting area where no special detected signal is detected, of thesetting areas, based on the check result of the checking device; a marksignal recording device for optically recording a mark signal forobtaining the special detected signal optically, in the non-used settingarea; a setting signal recording device for recording a setting signalfor setting the recording parameter, at least, in the non-used settingarea excluding an area where the mark signal is recorded; and a settingdevice for setting the recording parameter by optically detecting therecorded setting signal, wherein the mark signal recording devicerepeats the recording of the mark signal at a predetermined intervalduring the recording of the setting signal.
 4. The parameter settingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mark signal recording devicerepeats the recording of the mark signal at a predetermined intervalduring the recording of the setting signal.
 5. The parameter settingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the checking device furthercomprises: a position retrieving device for retrieving a predictedposition of the setting area on the recording medium where the specialdetected signal is to be optically detected; a first moving device formoving an executing device for detecting the setting signal and thespecial detected signal, from the retrieved predicted position, to aretrieval starting position on the recording medium distant from thereat least by a distance corresponding to the predetermined interval; anda second moving device for repeating an operation of further moving theexecuting device again from the special detected signal-detectedposition on the recording medium to a position on the recording mediumdistant from there at least by a distance corresponding to thepredetermined interval, when the special detected signal is detectedwhile the executing device is moved from the retrieval starting positionto the predicted position, and further moving the executing device tothe predicted position, from a position of the executing device afterthe above further moving used as the retrieval starting position, so asto check whether the special detected signal is detected or not; and thelocating device regards the setting area adjacent to the setting areawhere the special detected signal detected last is recorded as thenon-used setting area, when none of the special detected signal isdetected while the executing device is moved from the retrieval startingposition to the predicted position.
 6. The parameter setting apparatusaccording to claim 1 3, wherein the recording parameter is intensity ofan optical beam for use in the information recording.
 7. The parametersetting apparatus according to claim 1 3, further comprising a recordingdevice for executing the information recording by use of the setrecording parameter.
 8. A parameter setting method for setting arecording parameter for use in optical information recording on arecording medium, using any one of a plurality of setting areaspreviously provided on the recording medium, the method comprising: achecking process for checking whether a special detected signal isoptically detected or not from the setting areas; a locating process forlocating a non-used area that is the setting area where no specialdetected signal is detected, of the setting areas, based on the checkresult in the checking process; a mark signal recording process foroptically recording a mark signal for obtaining the special detectedsignal optically, in the non-used setting area; a setting signalrecording process for recording a setting signal for setting therecording parameter, at least, in the non-used setting area excluding anarea where the mark signal is recorded; and a setting process forsetting the recording parameter by optically detecting the recordedsetting signal.
 9. The parameter setting method according to claim 8,wherein in the mark signal recording process, the mark signal isrecorded at a position detected prior to the setting signal recorded inthe non-used setting area.
 10. The A parameter setting method accordingto claim 8 for setting a recording parameter for use in opticalinformation recording on a recording medium, using any one of aplurality of setting areas previously provided on the recording medium,the method comprising: a checking process for checking whether a specialdetected signal is optically detected or not from the setting areas; alocating process for locating a non-used area that is the setting areawhere no special detected signal is detected, of the setting areas,based on the check result in the checking process; a mark signalrecording process for optically recording a mark signal for obtainingthe special detected signal optically, in the non-used setting area; asetting signal recording process for recording a setting signal forsetting the recording parameter, at least, in the non-used setting areaexcluding an area where the mark signal is recorded; and a settingprocess for setting the recording parameter by optically detecting therecorded setting signal, wherein in the mark signal recording process,the recording of the mark signal is repeated at a predetermined intervalduring the recording of the setting signal.
 11. The parameter settingmethod according to claim 9, wherein in the mark signal recordingprocess, the recording of the mark signal is repeated at a predeterminedinterval during the recording of the setting signal.
 12. The parametersetting method according to claim 10, wherein the checking processfurther comprises: a position retrieving process for retrieving apredicted position of the setting area on the recording medium where thespecial detected signal is to be optically detected; a first movingprocess for moving an executing device for detecting the setting signaland the special detected signal, from the retrieved predicted position,to a retrieval starting position on the recording medium distant fromthere at least by a distance corresponding to the predeterminedinterval; and a second moving process for repeating an operation offurther moving the executing device again from the special detectedsignal-detected position on the recording medium to a position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval, when the special detected signal isdetected while the executing device is moved from the retrieval startingposition to the predicted position, and further moving the executingdevice to the predicted position, from a position of the executingdevice after the above further moving used as the retrieval startingposition, so as to check whether the special detected signal is detectedor not; and in the locating process, the setting area adjacent to thesetting area where the special detected signal detected last isrecorded, is regarded as the non-used setting area, when none of thespecial detected signal is detected while the executing device is movedfrom the retrieval starting position to the predicted position.
 13. Theparameter setting method according to claim 8 10, wherein the recordingparameter is intensity of an optical beam for use in the informationrecording.
 14. The parameter setting method according to claim 8 10,further comprising a recording process for executing the informationrecording by use of the set recording parameter.
 15. An informationrecording medium in which a setting program is recorded in a readableway by a setting computer, which is included in a recording parametersetting apparatus for setting a recording parameter for use in opticalinformation recording on the recording medium, using any one of aplurality of setting areas previously provided on the recording medium,the setting program causing the setting computer to function as: achecking device for checking whether a special detected signal isoptically detected or not from the setting areas; a locating device forlocating a non-used area that is the setting area where no specialdetected signal is detected, of the setting areas, based on the checkresult of the checking device; a mark signal recording device foroptically recording a mark signal for obtaining the special detectedsignal optically, in the non-used setting area; a setting signalrecording device for recording a setting signal for setting therecording parameter, at least, in the non-used setting area excluding anarea where the mark signal is recorded; and a setting device for settingthe recording parameter by optically detecting the recorded settingsignal.
 16. The information recording medium according to claim 15,wherein the mark signal recording device records the mark signal at aposition detected prior to the setting signal recorded in the non-usedsetting area.
 17. The A information recording medium according claim 15in which a setting program is recorded in a readable way by a settingcomputer, which is included in a recording parameter setting apparatusfor setting a recording parameter for use in optical informationrecording on the recording medium, using any one of a plurality ofsetting areas previously provided on the recording medium, the settingprogram causing the setting computer to function as: a checking devicefor checking whether a special detected signal is optically detected ornot from the setting areas; a locating device for locating a non-usedarea that is the setting area where no special detected signal isdetected, of the setting areas, based on the check result of thechecking device; a mark signal recording device for optically recordinga mark signal for obtaining the special detected signal optically, inthe non-used setting area; a setting signal recording device forrecording a setting signal for setting the recording parameter, atleast, in the non-used setting area excluding an area where the marksignal is recorded; and a setting device for setting the recordingparameter by optically detecting the recorded setting signal, whereinthe mark signal recording device repeats the recording of the marksignal at a predetermined interval during the recording of the settingsignal.
 18. The information recording medium according claim 16, whereinthe mark signal recording device repeats the recording of the marksignal at a predetermined interval during the recording of the settingsignal.
 19. The information recording medium according to claim 17,wherein the checking device further comprises: a position retrievingdevice for retrieving a predicted position of the setting area on therecording medium where the special detected signal is to be opticallydetected; a first moving device for moving an executing device fordetecting the setting signal and the special detected signal, from theretrieved predicted position, to a retrieval starting position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval; and a second moving device for repeatingan operation of further moving the executing device again from thespecial detected signal-detected position on the recording medium to aposition on the recording medium distant from there at least by adistance corresponding to the predetermined interval, when the specialdetected signal is detected while the executing device is moved from theretrieval starting position to the predicted position, and furthermoving the executing device to the predicted position, from a positionof the executing device after the above further moving used as theretrieval starting position, so as to check whether the special detectedsignal is detected or not; and the locating device regards the settingarea adjacent to the setting area where the special detected signaldetected last is recorded as the non-used setting area, when none of thespecial detected signal is detected while the executing device is movedfrom the retrieval starting position to the predicted position.
 20. Theinformation recording medium according to claim 15 17, wherein therecording parameter is intensity of an optical beam for use in theinformation recording.
 21. The information recording medium accordingclaim 15 17, wherein the setting program further causes the settingcomputer to function as: a recording device for executing theinformation recording by use of the set recording parameter.
 22. Acomputer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing asequence of instructions, which is executed by a setting computer, whichis included in a recording parameter setting apparatus for setting arecording parameter for use in optical information recording on therecording medium, using any one of a plurality of setting areaspreviously provided on the recording medium, said instructionscomprising the steps of: checking whether a special detected signal isoptically detected or not from the setting areas; locating a non-usedarea that is the setting area where no special detected signal isdetected, of the setting areas, based on the check result of the step ofchecking; optically recording a mark signal for obtaining the specialdetected signal optically, in the non-used setting area; recording asetting signal for setting the recording parameter, at least, in thenon-used setting area excluding an area where the mark signal isrecorded; and setting the recording parameter by optically detecting therecorded setting signal.
 23. The computer data signal embodied in acarrier wave and representing a sequence of instructions according toclaim 22, wherein the step of optically recording the mark signalrecords the mark signal at a position detected prior to the settingsignal recorded in the non-used setting area.
 24. The computer datasignal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a sequence ofinstructions according claim 22, wherein the step of optically recordingthe mark signal repeats the recording of the mark signal at apredetermined interval during the recording of the setting signal. 25.The computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing asequence of instructions according claim 23, wherein the step ofoptically recording the mark signal repeats the recording of the marksignal at a predetermined interval during the recording of the settingsignal.
 26. The computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave andrepresenting a sequence of instructions according to claim 24, whereinthe step of checking further comprises the steps of: retrieving apredicted position of the setting area on the recording medium where thespecial detected signal is to be optically detected; moving an executingdevice for detecting the setting signal and the special detected signal,from the retrieved predicted position, to a retrieval starting positionon the recording medium distant from there at least by a distancecorresponding to the predetermined interval; and repeating an operationof further moving the executing device again from the special detectedsignal-detected position on the recording medium to a position on therecording medium distant from there at least by a distance correspondingto the predetermined interval, when the special detected signal isdetected while the executing device is moved from the retrieval startingposition to the predicted position, and further moving the executingdevice to the predicted position, from a position of the executingdevice after the above further moving used as the retrieval startingposition, so as to check whether the special detected signal is detectedor not, and the step of locating the non-used area regards the settingarea adjacent to the setting area where the special detected signaldetected last is recorded as the non-used setting area, when none of thespecial detected signal is detected while the executing device is movedfrom the retrieval starling position to the predicted position.
 27. Thecomputer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing asequence of instructions according to claim 22, wherein the recordingparameter is intensity of an optical beam for use in the informationrecording.
 28. The computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave andrepresenting a sequence of instructions according to claim 22, whereinsaid instructions further comprises the step of executing theinformation recording by use of the set recording parameter.